Any semblance of order in the messy, protracted divorce between Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets blew up Wednesday when a Russian billionaire said "nyet" to a blockbuster trade that could have sent the disgruntled star from Denver to New Jersey.

Who knew breaking up was so hard to do?

"New Jersey is out of the picture," Anthony said. "There's no need to talk about New Jersey."

His seven-year relationship with Denver doomed since Anthony refused months ago to sign a $65 million contract extension, the Nuggets now must scramble to find another NBA team to take him before the league's Feb. 24 trade deadline.

"We're talking to plenty of other teams," said Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri, stopping briefly in a Pepsi Center hallway only after I refused to release his handshake. "There's no negativity on our side. I can guarantee you that 100 percent."

Denver can't keep Anthony, due to become a free agent at season's end.

Worse, the Nuggets have been inept at closing a deal to trade Melo.

So the Melodrama everybody wishes would end goes on.

But let's make one thing clear: Anthony did not kill the trade.

The Nuggets' leading scorer was surprised when Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov squashed a deal that would have shipped Anthony and homegrown Denver hero Chauncey Billups to New Jersey in return for prized rookie Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris and at least two first-round draft choices.

"There comes a time when the price is simply too expensive," Prokhorov said. "I'm instructing our team to walk away from the deal,"

Anthony discounted the speculation he was not enthusiastic about the prospect of playing for New Jersey. In fact, Anthony said "I would have loved" to meet with Prokhorov about being the star to spearhead the team's move from Newark to Brooklyn in 2012.

Would Leon Rose, the agent who represents Anthony, have been so foolhardy to put his fingerprints all over a complicated deal that involved Denver, New Jersey and Detroit without any encouragement from his client?

When asked directly whether he or his agents had killed the trade by refusing to entertain a contract extension with the Nets, Anthony firmly and repeatedly said: "No."

What smells closer to the truth is that Denver sports baron Stan Kroenke pushed so hard and so long for the Nets to sweeten the deal that Prokhorov finally shoved back. A pushing match between two filthy-rich franchise owners choked the life from the trade.

"My billionaire friend from Russia has thrown a curveball or knuckleball into the process," Denver coach George Karl said.

Make no mistake. Despite claims by Ujiri that the Nuggets have developed contingency plans in dealing Anthony, the resounding rejection by Prokhorov came as a shock to Nuggets management, which has privately boasted for months that New Jersey would not back away from a trade.

Where do the Nuggets turn next, with the trade deadline five weeks away?

While the Knicks now have a chance to revive Anthony's dream to play in New York, their trade bid is far from a slam dunk. Denver management has believed for weeks there will be more than one NBA rival willing to trade for Anthony without any assurance he would agree to a long- term commitment with his new team.

Post sports columnist Mark Kiszla fields your feedback. Look for it in Kickin' It With Kiz on Sundays.

As a rental player, Anthony could transform a championship pretender into a bona- fide contender this spring, with the distinct possibility of labor strife shutting down the league for a significant portion of next season. Although rebuffed in their attempts to acquire Joakim Noah, the Nuggets have constantly worked to entice Chicago as a trade partner.

Denver is committed to rebuilding a franchise that fell just short of winning the Western Conference title two years ago. Karl gave a strong hint of the Nuggets' plans when he immediately listed four players as key to a future in which salary-cap flexibility will be highly valued: Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Gary Forbes and Nene.

Despite scoring 35 points Wednesday night against Oklahoma City, Anthony was roundly booed by the home crowd while conducting a television interview after the game.

"I'm never distracted. I've been in worse places in my life," Anthony said.

"I don't expect any cheers. It is what it is. The boos are the boos. They are going to keep coming."

Denver beat the division- leading Thunder 112-107. It doesn't matter. Nothing else will count until this Melodrama goes away.